Futurepreneur Lab to Help University Startups Enter the Market
Jakarta (ANTARA) - WU Hub has launched Futurepreneur Lab 2026 to assist university startups or spin-offs in entering the market through acceleration and business mentoring programmes.
“We do not lack innovation, we do not lack creative ideas, nor do we lack intellect from universities,” said WU Hub founder Charles Lee during a press conference for the launch of Futurepreneur Lab 2026 in Jakarta on Friday.
However, the development of university innovations in fields such as technology, agriculture, energy, and the digital economy into products and solutions that can be widely utilised has, until now, been deemed to face obstacles in the processes of downstreaming and commercialisation.
“Currently, what is sought is not merely an attractive presentation, but something tangible, beneficial, and truly used by society,” said Charles.
Vice President of Investment at Spil Ventures, Sumarny Manurung, noted that many innovative ideas from campus environments end up merely as research results because they lack adequate pathways to reach the market.
He stated that investors require proof that a solution is genuinely needed and has the potential to be developed into a sustainable business. Therefore, early-stage startups require market validation.
In this process, developers can obtain feedback from potential users and understand market demand to minimise the risk of failure when products are launched to a wider audience.
Futurepreneur Lab is designed to help prepare university startups for market entry. The programme provides opportunities for 20 representatives from selected university startups to participate in mentoring, incubation, market validation, and an Investment Day.
Programme participants will undergo eight mentoring sessions covering business development, risk management, funding strategies, and market entry preparation. They will also gain access to the Catalyst platform, which allows the public to provide direct feedback on the products they offer.
Through this programme, it is hoped that innovations born on campus can be developed into products and solutions that bring sustainable economic and social benefits.